Fall 2013 Staff

Kimberly Jones

My name is Kimberly Jones and I am currently a Senior at University at Albany (SUNY). I am from Queens, NY and I am 21 years old. Upon entering the University, I was a business major, however I recently switched to a Globalization major, business minor. At the moment, I am unsure of what exactly I want to do career-wise, but I have plenty of ideas. With a background in globalization as well as in business, I feel pretty confident about the direction I am headed in.

A lot of the time people may hear of a major in globalization and may immediately categorize it with history, or they just may be completely oblivious to what it is. It actually relates to the broad view of the the ever-changing world including political, economic and social views, just to name a few.

Upon graduating from the University, I aspire to enter into the business world and get acquainted with international business or possibly manage my own company. Down the line, I aspire to be a CEO of a major corporation involved with other countries.

Even as I have a lot of hopes as well as aspirations for my life, I enjoy giving back to the community as well. I strongly believe that a person should never forget where they came from, and that they should help out others whenever possible. Through my school, I have been a part of various groups in which I have completed community service. Two of these groups in particular were the Ronald McDonald House Charities and Service is Key. While volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House Albany Chapter, I was exposed to many different people and their personal situations, and it was definitely a great and humbling experience.

In addition, I am currently apart of the STEP program at the University at Albany, which is offered to middle and high school students. I was interested in becoming a tutor/mentor for younger students because I felt that I could possibly help someone realize how important an education is. I thought that is would also be a great experience for myself as well.

Lissette Hernandez

I am currently a sophomore at the University at Albany.I am hoping to enter either child development field of psychology or the criminal justice field of psychology.

I am a very outgoing person, most of the time. I love to meet new people and try new things. I'm always involved and active; some of my hobbies would be playing softball, dancing and reading. For the most part, I am okay with trying new things. I love to challenge myself and put myself out of my confront zone. It teaches me a lot about myself and handling different situations. I am a very shy person, therefore at times it may take a while to adjust to certain things, but I'm usually good at improving on what I do. It is not challenging for me to push myself to succeed or do better, therefore when I want to accomplish something I usually do so.

I am very easily motivated and inspired therefore even a simple quote or a book can motivate me to do better things. My goals are to challenge myself as much as I can, meet as many people as I can and succeed.

Munzerin "Munzzy" Uddin

Currently as a Sophomore at SUNY Albany, I'm aspiring to have a future somewhere in the Nano-science field. Most people call me by my nickname, Munzzy and just like it; I'm fun and unique. I'm usually categorized as very friendly and outgoing. I love meeting new people and interacting with them. Beside my fun side, I also have a very serious side. I'm a very ambitious and determined person. I make sure I work diligently and keep my eye on the prize. I can be accounted for someone who is reliable, trustworthy and who will get the work done. My hobbies include hanging with friends and goofing of. I love laughing and making others laugh with me. Theres nothing I love more than eating, shopping and watching movies. I also enjoy cooking a lot! In my opinion, theres nothing better than good friends coming over a table full of food and having a good time.

Janine Miller

Hello my name is Janine, I am a chemistry major with the intentions of becoming a pharmacist. I'm from Brooklyn, the best borough in New York City. I enjoy writing poetry and singing. I have a passion for serving my community, whether its at a nursing home or with my church. Even though I'm 21 years young I still watch cartoons on Saturday. Lastly, I'm just here for you to help me help you.

Matthew Sarker

My name is Matthew, but call me Matt. I'm a physics major and I hope to one day be a teacher. I love to teach what I know, whether that's math or music or something new I just picked up. I think it's one of the coolest things if you take something that's complicated and explain it in the simplest way possible. It's a skill I'm hoping to sharpen.

I love a lot of things but it's all basically about learning, growing, and improving. I do physics because it's interesting, not because it's easy. I play a little guitar and I'm learning piano and music theory because it's cool and it's something universally appreciated. I also enjoy playing basketball, running and working out. If you need help with anything, just give me a shout out and I'll do my best.

Tom Courtney

I chose to join the STEP program for the experiences that it'd give me for my future. I have plans to become a high school teacher someday. I know that it's pretty soon actually, but when I start to think that I'll be graduated and on the job in just a couple of years I start to feel far too old, so I prefer to use the term 'someday'. Although I'd done some other work in high school working with younger students and in college tutoring people my own age, this program by far gives me the best representation of what I'll be working with for the rest of my life. I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I remember (hence having used the term someday for so long), and this program gives me the chance to jump into a field that I love and start getting a feel for my future.

Gilbert Steier

Hello world! My name is Gilbert "Gibby" Steier and I'm currently a college Sophomore taking a combined major/minor in computer science at SUNY Albany. My interests include logic puzzles, video games, plush figures, the TV series "Psych", and classic rock music. I aspire to be a successful programmer working for technology industries such as Microsoft, IBM, and Google. I hope to get to know all of you well and help you with your goals.

Kariel Beckford

I am a student at the University at Albany, studying English and Africana Studies with the goal of becoming an educator. I enjoy singing, poetry, the overall arts and am currently the Vice President of Phenomenal Voices, a performing arts group on campus. Working with STEP is helping me get involved in the Albany community and gain experience with high school students. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I am at Albany High School offering help in various subjects based on the students' needs. Overall, I hope to share a great experience with the students in STEP and teach them as much as they teach me.

Billy Rodriguez

On my spare time I enjoy swimming and working out. I love food and enjoy good delicious meals :P. Hip hop is my favorite genre of music, but I'm not shy to hear new sounds. I was born and raised in Spanish Harlem and breath inner city living. I'm very easy to talk to and open to new ideas! I love spending my spare time sleeping but otherwise spend the rest of my time reading. My biggest goal in my life is to own my business and fulfill all my desires, such as get my motorcycle license and visit California.

Assita Diallo

I love,Reading, writing, singing (even though I can’t sing), dancing,LAUGHING, SMILING, EATING, books, poetry, WORKING OUT, hanging out with friends, talking, listening, EATING,movies, Disney channel, Sudoku , R&B, Criminal Minds, Bing Bang theory, school, FOOD, EATING, sleeping, shopping, cooking, friends, family, HARLEM, New York City, making others feel better, computers, EATING, psychology, music, thoughts, ideas and Randomness.I am not 100% sure of what I want to be when I get older, but I do know that I want to help people change their lives. I want to create a Utopian community center for people to rest their troubles and be at ease with life.Just remember, if I can do it, so can you. We all have our own troubles and that shouldn’t stop you from Succeeding.

Jessenia (Jess) Maguana

Major: Undecided Minor: Undecided Class Year: Freshman Work Days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday My name is Jessenia, but most people simply call me Jess. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. At first I come off as a shy person, but I enjoy meeting new people. I am an active volunteer in my community, I volunteer at my church-chaperoning the christmas show trip, being a catechist assistant, office chores, etc- and dancing in the local communities folkloric dance group. I also love to travel and try new things. Every summer I go to Ecuador with my family. They always plan different trips, whether it’s to the beaches in Salinas or to visit the volcano in Quito. I love learning about new cultures and their traditions, as well as their foods. A main reason I came to Albany, in general, is to be an active and adventurous person. I needed to step out the box and be an independent person. As an undecided student, I need to be able to try different things, that Brooklyn couldn’t offer me, to be able to choose the right career path for me.

Janay Campbell

Major: PsychologyClass Year: FreshmanWorkdays: Tuesdays & Thursdays

My name is Janay Campbell and I'm a freshman at UAlbany. My major is psychology and I want to become a therapist working with any age group but I think I want to focus on teenagers or young children. I know that I want to help anyone who has trouble in their lives. I realized that I wanted to help people when I was a freshman in high school because my friends always came to me with their problems and asked for advice and I found ways to help them. The people around me helped me determine what I wanted to do in the future.

I'm from Jamaica, Queens and the change pace in Albany has been interesting; everything is much calmer here. One of my favorite things to do is to read a really good book. When I find one that catches my attention I will be lost to the whole world; nothing will pull me away. I can spend the entire day reading a book and I won't stop until I finish it.

For the past two summers I worked for a summer camp that catered to children ages five to eleven and taught them about different fun and interesting topics like different countries and fish but we also had fun by playing various camp games. I mostly worked with the children ages five and six but I did interact with every age group. The summer camp was a great experience for me because I could find out if working with children is what I really want to do and it is.

Christina Knowles

Christina KnowlesMajor/Minor: EconomicsYear: Freshman I’m a 17 year old girl that is from a small town in upstate New York. It’s hard to exactly write and talk about myself, but, in high school I was the captain of my basketball team and love the game. I graduate a year early from high school and always loved school and learning about new things, especially history. I come from a household with both my parents and two older sisters, being the youngest is not how people think. I love to have a good time, but I’m not exactly one that loves to go out I rather stay in and hang out. I also love to talk to people on a very personal level and people always feel as if they can open up to me and have a real connection with me.

Shawn Marshall Jr.

I am currently a freshman of the class of 2017. I plan on doing a double major of Journalism and Communications.

I was born and raised in Long Island, New York. I grew up in a neighborhood called Hempstead. I grew up enjoying socializing and an interest in electronics. It wasn't until high school where i noticed my passion for writing.

I did a lot of moving throughout my childhood but I spent whole high school career at elmont Memorial High school. this is where I met friends for life as well as teachers that I still keep in contact with for support and advice. Despite only being on the newspaper for a very limited amount of time I gained immediate and extreme interest in the subject and knew it was somthing I wanted to pursue. I also developed my social skills and a better environment of peers in highschool. Other hobbies of mine include MMA, soccer, and basketball (even though i only spectate basketball).

Marielle Montero

I am currently a Junior at the University at Albany. Some things that you need to know about me: I believe in being positive all the time, I believe that hard work brings us the things that we want in life, and I love to help people.

I have a strong passion for education that was reawakened during my summer with STEP's Residential College Prep Program. I am an outgoing person, I love to talk to people and interact, I love engaging in interesting and challenging discussions and raising awareness about the social issues that students in the inner-city face. I can help with reading and writing, as well as with anything associated with the college application process. I look forward to working with our students this semester!

Ogooluwakitan (Anu) Akinwunmi

Major: Philosophy Minor: Criminal Justice/Italian Position: Tutor Workdays: Monday, Wednesday My name is Ogooluwakitan. I know my name is a mouthful so everyone calls me Anu. I am currently a junior at the University at Albany and the Vice President of our School’s Italian Club, “La Dolce Vita”. My favorite color is orange is a fun fact about me is that I love scented candles. In my free time I thoroughly enjoy being in the company of my good friends and just making the best out of every night we have together. My plans for the future consist of two years in Italy through the peace core, maybe law school, getting my PHD in Philosophy, and hopefully being a professor. This is my first year working with STEP and I’m really looking forward to the experience. Working with the STEP program will bring me step closer to the professional goals that I have planned for my future.

Fizza Zaman

Major: BiologyMinor: Psychology and MathematicsClass Year: SeniorPosition: TutorWorkdays: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” –Dr. SeussHello everyone! My name is Fizza and I am currently a senior at University at Albany. I am very excited to be a part of this year’s STEP staff. I can help with any subject ranging from Math, Science, English, History, etc.Apart from STEP, I am also a part of Five Quad Voluntary Ambulance Service, CSTEP, and Delta Phi Lambda. If you couldn’t tell from my major and minors, I am a half-nerd! The other half of me loves learning new things. Currently, in my free time, I am learning how to play the bass, mastering archery, and choreographing dance routines. My other interests include jamming to music, working out, and going on spontaneous adventures.After I graduate, I intend to go to a Master’s program for Occupational Therapy, since my passion is to help people. I see myself as a supporter, encourager, listener, and helper, who believes in every individual’s potential to accomplish their hopes and dreams.

Cassandra Hamdan

My name is Cassandra Hamdan. I'm a senior at UAlbany studying Journalism with the hopes that I'll become a writer in the future. Since I can remember I have always loved writing so why not make a career out of it! Through my years in college I also developed a love for traveling. Last winter I had the amazing opportunity to study in Spain, Morocco, and Portugal. This winter I'll be continuing that love as I adventure off to Italy and Greece for two weeks. Eventually, my dream job consists of traveling, writing, and meeting new people from different walks of life. I want to hear their stories and ambitions while laying it out for the world to see :)

I'm currently a Housing Manager for the Liberty Terrace Apartments. I'm also a Purple and Gold Ambassador and a founder of my sorority, Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated, here at UAlbany. My typical perfect day is laying up in bed reading a good book and any free time that I have is usually spent reading or writing for one of my blogs.

I love comedy and good laugh so if you're funny, you've already won kudos points in my book :) Something people don't usually guess about me when we first meet, is that I'm a daredevil at heart. I've been skydiving twice, bungee jumping, zip lining, and snowboarding. My life goal is to be able to travel, write, and have daily adventures. Working with STEP, I hope to give students those same goals and hopefully inspire them to take on the world in more ways than one!

Richard Brenner

I'm a junior year physics major at UAlbany looking to go to grad school for engineering. My dream job is to work as an acoustic engineer and design sound systems/spaces (concert halls, car stereo systems etc.) In my spare time, I like to play soccer, watch TV, and write/produce music in genres ranging from instrumental hip-hop to house music and a lot in between. Aside from being a STEP Tutor, I'm the Production Director for WCDB Albany 90.9 FM, UAlbany's radio station (let me know if you are curious about becoming a radio DJ!) and I performed tinikling, a traditional Filipino dance, with LIGA Filipina for two years (I'm Filipino, Italian, Russian and Chinese, but sadly, I only speak english :( ). My specialties for tutoring are (unsurprisingly) math and physics.

Lester Ledgister

Major: Sociology/JournalismMinor: PsychologyClass Year: SophomorePosition: Tutor & MentorWorkdays: Tuesday & Thursday I am a sophomore at the University at Albany, who is interested in becoming either a career or guidance counselor or a sports journalist. I am 19 years old and I am from Bronx, NY. Currently, I am the President of the New Life S.D.A Youth Ministries, a Seventh Day Adventist student organization at the University at Albany. I have a passion for writing especially poetry and love to help others. I am a member of Project Excel and I am grateful for the opportunity I was introduced to by them to work with STEP at the Albany High School. I just want to make a difference everywhere I go and I hope to do so with the students I will be working with at the Albany High School.

Caroline Cabrera

Major: Women StudiesMinor: EducationClass: SeniorPosition: Internship “An eye for an eye will only end up making the whole world blind” ~Mahatma GandhiWhen I am not pursuing my role as a student at the University at Albany, my time is spent as an active member of the community putting together programs, benefit banquets, and community service. I come from a large family and the oldest of six siblings being the first to leave and attend college. I was raised in the Time Square area of Manhattan privileged by the constant surrounding of people from all over the world. I have experienced cultures outside of my own, embracing the idea of being open-minded and accepting to everyone and everyone’s differences. I am an outdoor kind of person naturally, trying to experience everything life has to offer outside of a four wall environment. Being a Women’s Studies major allows me to be objective to many issues faced in society. Not too sure as to what I would like to do after college, I feel I have involved myself enough to enter any work opportunity that comes in my direction. My motto in life is to never be afraid of making a mistake; they can be the greatest lessons in life.

Ashley Guity

My experience as a college student has been great! I faced many obstacles to get where I am today! And I am very proud of the woman I am becoming.When I first transferred to UAlbany from Suffolk Community College, I was extremely excited because I was about to experience something different. While attending Suffolk Community College, nothing was different than being in High School. I commuted back and forth to class every day and I socialized with the same people from High school.

Towards graduation for my Associates, I finally made a decision that I wanted to continue on with my education by attending a university miles away from my house. It didn’t take me long to choose the University at Albany as my first choice. What helped me decide was the location, meeting new people, the many different majors and minors, the extracurricular activities etc. Once I received my acceptance letter from the University at Albany I instantly knew my life would change for the better.Although it has only been 1 year attending UAlbany, it has taught me valuable lessons that I will cherish forever! I now know how to budget my money, list my priorities from very too least important, how to study, and gain relationships with my professors. I am still happy to be attending the University at Albany and I know that there is much more to learn.

Brittany Stinson

Major: Criminal JusticeMinor: Psychology Class Year: Junior Position: Tutor Workdays: Monday and Wednesday I’m an Albany local and while in high school I was apart of the STEP program. I got to see how much help it can offer a student and couldn’t wait to be a tutor and mentor myself. I’m currently a student at the University at Albany where I study Criminal Justice and Psychology. I love to participate in many different community service opportunities and I am currently the treasurer for the schools Criminal Justice Association. In my spare time I love spending time with my family friends, especially my two nephews Keegan and Brian. I enjoy shopping, listening to music, and exercising. After attending the University, I hope to move on to law school and start a career as a lawyer.

Kalia Ogden

My name is Kalia Ogden. I am a freshman at the University at Albany. I am an intended math major. I am passionate about children and young people and teaching them. I yearn to see them succeed in life and be much better than me.

I am a Christian and love gospel music. My goal in life is to graduate with a Bacelors of Science in Math and then go on to get my Masters Degree to be a certified math teacher. I am a really positive person and take my studies very seriously. I hope to make a huge change in many young people's lives one day.

Cassandra Mungo

Major: EnglishMinor: Education/ Africana StudiesClass Year: SeniorPosition: TutorWorkdays: Monday, Wednesday Hello Everyone! My name is Casandra and I’m a senior at the University at Albany. I’m not quite sure what I want to be in the near future but I do know I plan on working in Education, which is why I appreciate and enjoying working with the Step Program. Although my plans aren’t completely clear I’m making sure that I take the appropriate steps to gear my future in the right direction. But when I’m not planning my life, I’m enjoying it! In my down time I enjoy reading, eating, and spending quality time with my friends and family. People would describe me as funny, witty, outgoing, and always willing to help ad get the job done. You can catch me Mondays and Wednesdays at Step’s AVID Program. Don’t be afraid to say hi or ask me to help you with anything!

"The job of an educator is to teach students to see the vitality in themselves."-- Joseph Campbell